Breaking Bad Analysis

How does the Breaking Bad clip create meaning through the use of camera, mise-en-scene, editing and sound?

This clip from Breaking Bad creates meaning through the use of variation in camera angles, mise-en-scene, editing and sound. Each of these aspects put together makes the viewer aware of a power imbalance and shift between teacher and student. The combination provides the information that Walter White is undermined by Chad.

For example, in the very beginning of the clip, Walter White is seen teaching chemistry in a classroom. The scene shows nearly the whole classroom and all the students sitting at their desks; it sets the scene. However, being a very wide shot, it makes Walter seem very small compared to his students. Clearly, none of them are very interested in what he’s saying and giving the impression that he is smaller than them, automatically provides the idea that his students already have more power than he does. As the scene continues, it is clear that Walter is very passionate about chemistry and becomes more animated as he talks. This is shown by the presence of a flame, representing his burning passion for Chemistry and how he is trying to get his students to love the subject too. To light the flame, Walter uses a flint and steel tool, which makes quite a loud, metallic sound. As soon as the students hear this, they visually become more interested. This sound is useful in providing a shift in the students from them feeling bored to curious about the experiment. At the same time, the shot changes into a medium shot, indicating his growing excitement about the subject. When he finally sprays the chemicals into the Bunsen flame, the students immediately start to take more notice of what he is doing. In the following shot, the flame is out of focus in the foreground but almost creates a path for the viewers’ eye-line to follow to the back of the classroom. Conveniently, this is also assisted by the fact that two students are missing from the class and a couple can clearly then clearly be seen chatting and still not paying any attention. This is effective in providing the information that Walter still struggles to gain control of this class. 

A following close-up of Walter White is overshadowed by the flame almost directly in front of his face. Although he is using the Bunsen burner for teaching purposes, the flame could also project his growing anger and frustration at the pair of students who aren’t listening to him at all. Having the flame out of focus, but directly in front of his face, gives the impression that Walter will always be outshone but something or someone, and rarely has anyone’s undivided attention. As well as this, the shot is almost at the point of view of the flame looking up at Walter, to show the fact that he is supposed to be the one in charge. When Walter is becoming annoyed at Chad, the shot changes and becomes a tracking shot that follows Chad as he moves to the front of the class. Having the camera follow where he is going gives the impression that he plays an important role and maybe he is respected by his peers; people follow his lead. This is also paired with the harsh sound of him dragging the chair across the floor, interrupting what Walter is saying. The fact that a student interrupts his teacher by purposefully making a very loud and unpleasant noise suggests that he doesn’t respect his teacher or see him as someone of higher power than him. This moment in the scene is a beginning to a clear power shift between student and teacher. In addition, the camera is then directed back at Walter, but is almost immediately blocked by Chad walking in front of it. This is a clear representation of how Walter is dismissed by his students and has no control over their behaviour. Furthermore, throughout the extract Walter White is seen wearing a very boring-looking outfit. All of his clothes are beige, and even his car. This creative use of mise-en-scene reflects how his students see him, and maybe the fact that he is a boring person. This choice of colours is clearly meant to show how people see him and how he sees himself.